It's unusual to find a business in 2017 that doesn't have a website. However, just because a company has a website doesn't mean that it functions for the business. Technology is constantly evolving as is the way that consumers interact on websites. Knowing how and when to give your website design a facelift is crucial to growing your business online.

A common question that we hear from clients is how often they should re-design their websites. As a rule of thumb, it's a smart business decision to reconsider a website design every three to four years as the way that people interact with technology tends to change during this timeframe. Truth be told, though, if you're asking yourself if it's time to update your website, it's time to get the updating journey started.

Why Should You Update Your Website Design?
We live in a digital world where the first encounter that many of your customers will have with your business is through your website. First impressions matter, and a study conducted by Stanford University revealed that 75 percent of consumers judge the credibility of a company on its website alone.

SEO is another reason why you need to update your website. If you want to improve your search ranking, you must design your website with SEO in mind. It's also important to note that Google gives preference in rankings to websites that are mobile-friendly and use responsive design. If your website is not currently mobile-friendly, you have an immediate need to update your website.

Common Signs It's Time to Update Your Website
Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you determine if a website redesign is in order:

Has it been more than three years since you've updated your website?
It seems as though technology evolves at the speed of lightning. If it's been more than three years since you've updated your website, your current design is not serving the needs of your business.

Is your website user-friendly?Do the pages on your website load quickly? Is it easy for users to navigate through your website to find content? Is your design responsive to provide an optimal user experience regardless of the type of device used to access your website?

Are you still using Adobe Flash on your website?Users accessing your website with an iPhone or iPad won't be able to use Flash. If you're using Flash on your website, get rid of it immediately.

Do you have social sharing buttons on your website?Including social sharing buttons on your website to your Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts will make it easy for users to follow your company on social media.

In summary, you can't afford to have a mediocre website for your business. If you're questioning whether or not it's time to update your website, start the process of revamping your design.